Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 73(@200wpm)___ 58(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 73(@200wpm)___ 58(@250wpm)___ 49(@300wpm)
When his brows furrow, I add, “Where did I live before I became homeless?” When he doesn’t answer, I continue. “What’s my favorite color? My favorite food? Where am I from? What’s my ex-boyfriend’s name?”
Jax’s shoulders slump, and I give him a reassuring smile. “I’m not saying all that to blame you. I’m just explaining that we aren’t friends. I used to have friends… when I lived in Michigan, where I was born and raised. Then I met Henry, and after dating for a few months, he got a promotion and was transferred to New York, so I moved with him. The friends I made here were all his, and when we broke up, they remained his.”
“Why didn’t you move back home?”
“Both of my parents died from cancer. My mom from breast cancer, and a few years later, my dad from colon cancer.”
“What about all those people at the club?”
“Those aren’t friends. They’re acquaintances. I don’t do friends, Jax.” Stepping out of his grip, I head back down the hallway to grab my dirty clothes. “Is the washer upstairs?”
“Down,” he says. I jump when his voice comes out right behind me.
“You can go to sleep.”
“Thanks for letting me know,” he replies dryly, following me down the stairs.
After I throw my clothes in, along with some detergent, I close the lid, then go straight to the kitchen to get a glass of water. When I can’t find the cups, Jax opens the correct cabinet and hands me a glass.
“Thanks.”
“Why are you homeless?” he asks, settling his back against the edge of the counter.
Not wanting his pity, I consider lying to him, but something tells me he’s not going to stop until he gets the truth out of me. He already stalked my ass ‘home.’
“Long story short, a year ago, the gynecologist found cancer cells in my uterus. I could’ve gone through chemo and all that, but instead I chose to get a hysterectomy. Henry didn’t agree with it because it meant we could never have kids. When I told him kids were no longer in my plan, and neither was marriage, he dumped me. Since the apartment was his, I had to leave.”
Jax’s eyes go wide, and his arms which are crossed over his chest, flex. “When you said you needed a couple weeks off to go on vacation you were having fucking major surgery?”
I nod.
“My insurance covered a portion of it, but not all, and then there were follow up visits and radiation and the medications. Unlike the hospital which allows you to make payments, the private facilities require payment at the time of visit.”
“Jesus, Willow.” Jax sighs. “You should’ve said something. Are you okay now?”
“I am. I’m done with all the treatments and as of right now, I’m cancer free. I’m saving for a place now.”
Jax stares at me for several beats before he says, “You’re staying here.”
“Tonight?” I ask, confused.
“No, indefinitely.” I open my mouth to argue, but he shakes his head. “I have a three-bedroom, three-bathroom place to myself. I’m not taking no for an answer.” He lifts a brow, daring me to argue.
“Okay, on two conditions.”
“You’re giving me conditions when I’m offering you my home to live in for free.” He throws his head back in a laugh, and I find myself smiling at how sexy he looks when he laughs.
“My first condition…” I raise my voice so he can hear me over his laughter, and he stops. “My first condition is I pay for half of the bills.”
Jax is already shaking his head. “Not happening. Next condition.”
I huff in frustration. “My other condition is that you’re not allowed to get attached to me. It’s inevitable we’ll hook up, and I have no doubt it will be hot as hell, but that’s all it can ever be. No friendship, no relationship.”
Jax stares at me for several seconds before he busts out laughing again. “Are you serious right now?”
“Yes, very.” I give him a dry look, so he knows I don’t think what I said is funny, nor do I think it’s necessary he laughs at what I said.
“Oh, Willow…” Jax steps forward. “One, we’re not hooking up. In case you forgot, I stopped it from happening tonight, and two, we are going to be friends. I know exactly what you’re doing, and unlike your piece of shit ex, I’m not going to allow it to happen.”
When I give him a what the hell are you talking about look, he says, “Your mom and dad died from cancer. Then you got cancer. Now you don’t want marriage or kids. You don’t want friends. You would rather be homeless than lean on other people…” He steps towards me. Out of instinct, I step back, but the kitchen is small and my back hits the edge of the counter.
Jax presses his body against mine and pushes a wet strand of hair behind my ear. “You’re pushing everyone away, Willow. If you make no connections, nobody can mourn your loss if you die.”